INFLUENCE OF SNOW COVER AND TOPOGRAPHICAL PROPERTIES ON FREEZE AND THAW INTENSITY ON BARE SLOPES

Abstract

The influence of snow cover and topographical properties on freeze and thaw action on bare slopes is important to consider the amount of sediment production caused by bedrock weathering in winter season. In order to estimate the freeze and thaw intensity, the heat conductivity analysis in a ground is conducted considering heat balance on a ground surface. In this model, the meteorological data generally observed are used as input data. The temporal change of snow cover on bare slopes is calculated by previously proposed model. DEM data of Gifu Prefecture is used for the calculation and the relation between freeze and thaw intensity and snow cover or topographical properties is discussed. As a result, the influence of snow cover on freeze and thaw properties is large and cannot be ignored. In addition, the combination of elevation, slope aspect and slope gradient produce variable differences in the amount of freeze and thaw intensity.